Glycolic Acid: what it is in skincare
⚡ Quick answer: A small alpha-hydroxy acid that helps loosen dead surface cells so skin looks smoother and brighter.
A small alpha-hydroxy acid that helps loosen dead surface cells so skin looks smoother and brighter.
What it does
Function: exfoliant (AHA). Chemical exfoliants loosen dead surface cells for smoother, clearer-looking skin. K-beauty tends to favour low, gentle, gradual percentages.
Heads-up flags
- sun-sensitizing
- sensitive-skin-caution
How to spot it on a label
On a Korean product's INCI list, look for Glycolic Acid. Ingredients are listed high-to-low by amount, so its position hints at how much is in the formula. See all exfoliants (aha/bha/pha) →
Explore the full K-beauty hub →✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed 2026-06-21.
General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.